8 December 2004 -- King Abdullah of Jordan says in an interview published today that Iran is trying to influence the Iraqi elections set for 30 January by sending thousands of Iranians into Iraq to vote and pouring in large amounts of money.

Abdullah said in the interview, published in "The Washington Post," that it is in Iran's vested interest to have an Islamic republic of Iraq.

Interim Iraqi President Ghazi Ajil al-Yawir also told the newspaper that Iran is interfering in Iraq's political affairs, especially in the southeastern part of the country.

Both leaders were in Washington and met with U.S. President George W. Bush earlier this week.